FLORIDA: Pandemic Strategy Mimics Hurricane Plan

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County's Pandemic Flu Strategy Mimics Hurricane Plan

UPDATED: 3:53 pm EST April 1, 2006 (EXCERPT)

Orange County health officials have been developing a pandemic influenza plan during the last nine months that is built on the area's well-established hurricane emergency plan, Local 6 News has learned.

Central Florida's international tourist base has prompted Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty to call the state's first avian flu summit.

"The potential is out there for a very serious situation in Orange County," Crotty said. "It has potential to be a major worldwide story, and we hope obviously that it doesn't come to that."

Central Florida hospital emergency rooms have already set up a network to track patients who fit the avian flu target profile," Local 6 reporter Mike Holfeld said.

"This avian influenza in Asia is targeting young, healthy adults, so that changes the way we put our plan together," County EMS Manager Dave Freeman said

The avian flu summit is set for April 5 and will include an update from Florida Secretary of Health Rony Francois.

Beyond the public awareness issues, Local 6 News reported that there will be a special announcement from federal representatives at the meeting.

Pandemic Flu Checklist

You can prepare for an influenza pandemic now.

You should know both the magnitude of what can happen during a pandemic outbreak and what actions you can take to help lessen the impact of an influenza pandemic on you and your family.

This checklist will help you gather the information and resources you may need in case of a flu pandemic.

To plan for a pandemic:

     �     Store a supply of water and food. During a pandemic, if you 

            cannot get to a store, or if stores are out of supplies, it will be 

            important for you to have extra supplies on hand. This can be 

             useful in other types of emergencies, such as power outages and 

             disasters.

     �     Have any nonprescription drugs and other health supplies on 

            hand, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold     

            medicines, fluids with electrolytes, and vitamins.

     �     Talk with family members and loved ones about how they would 

            be cared for if they got sick, or what will be needed to care for 

            them in your home.

     �     Volunteer with local groups to prepare and assist with emergency 

            response.

     �     Get involved in your community as it works to prepare for an 

            influenza pandemic.

To limit the spread of germs and prevent infection:

     �     Teach children to wash hands frequently with soap and water, and 

            model the correct behavior.

     �     Teach children to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues, and be 

            sure to model that behavior.

     �     Teach children to stay away from others as much as possible if 

             they are sick. Stay home from work and school if sick.

Flu Planning Checklist

Food, Non-Perishables

Medical, Health Supplies

Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables, and soups

Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood-pressure monitoring equipment

Protein or fruit bars

Soap and water, or alcohol-based hand wash

Dry cereal or granola

Medicines for fever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen

Peanut butter or nuts

Thermometer

Dried fruit

Anti-diarrheal medication

Crackers

Vitamins

Canned juices

Fluids with electrolytes

Bottled water

Cleansing agent/soap

Canned or jarred baby food and formula

Flashlight

Pet food

Batteries

Portable radio

Manual can opener

Garbage bags

Tissues, toilet paper, disposable diapers

Source: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/

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Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: FLORIDA: Pandemic Strategy Mimics Hurricane Plan Posted: April 01 2006 at 3:18pm
	County's Pandemic Flu Strategy Mimics Hurricane Plan UPDATED: 3:53 pm EST April 1, 2006 (EXCERPT) Orange County health officials have been developing a pandemic influenza plan during the last nine months that is built on the area's well-established hurricane emergency plan, Local 6 News has learned. Central Florida's international tourist base has prompted Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty to call the state's first avian flu summit. "The potential is out there for a very serious situation in Orange County," Crotty said. "It has potential to be a major worldwide story, and we hope obviously that it doesn't come to that." Central Florida hospital emergency rooms have already set up a network to track patients who fit the avian flu target profile," Local 6 reporter Mike Holfeld said. "This avian influenza in Asia is targeting young, healthy adults, so that changes the way we put our plan together," County EMS Manager Dave Freeman said The avian flu summit is set for April 5 and will include an update from Florida Secretary of Health Rony Francois. Beyond the public awareness issues, Local 6 News reported that there will be a special announcement from federal representatives at the meeting. Pandemic Flu Checklist You can prepare for an influenza pandemic now. You should know both the magnitude of what can happen during a pandemic outbreak and what actions you can take to help lessen the impact of an influenza pandemic on you and your family. This checklist will help you gather the information and resources you may need in case of a flu pandemic. To plan for a pandemic: � Store a supply of water and food. During a pandemic, if you cannot get to a store, or if stores are out of supplies, it will be important for you to have extra supplies on hand. This can be useful in other types of emergencies, such as power outages and disasters. � Have any nonprescription drugs and other health supplies on hand, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, and vitamins. � Talk with family members and loved ones about how they would be cared for if they got sick, or what will be needed to care for them in your home. � Volunteer with local groups to prepare and assist with emergency response. � Get involved in your community as it works to prepare for an influenza pandemic. To limit the spread of germs and prevent infection: � Teach children to wash hands frequently with soap and water, and model the correct behavior. � Teach children to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues, and be sure to model that behavior. � Teach children to stay away from others as much as possible if they are sick. Stay home from work and school if sick. Flu Planning Checklist Food, Non-Perishables Medical, Health Supplies Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables, and soups Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood-pressure monitoring equipment Protein or fruit bars Soap and water, or alcohol-based hand wash Dry cereal or granola Medicines for fever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen Peanut butter or nuts Thermometer Dried fruit Anti-diarrheal medication Crackers Vitamins Canned juices Fluids with electrolytes Bottled water Cleansing agent/soap Canned or jarred baby food and formula Flashlight Pet food Batteries Portable radio Manual can opener Garbage bags Tissues, toilet paper, disposable diapers Source: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/